Improvement in cradles



D. SGUDER,

Cradies.

Paten ted April 15, 1873.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID sounnn, or HOUSTON, 01110.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRADLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,868, dated April 15, 1873; application filed March 8, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID SOUDER, of Houston, in the county of Shelby and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Cradle, of which the following is a specification:

Figure l is a top view of my improved cradle, and Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line 0 c, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention consists, mainly, in a folding frame, to which is suspended by suitable means the bottom frame, with some. strong fabric stretched over it, which frame rocks readily on the folding or supporting frame, and may be adjusted on it to any desired height.

By disconnecting one side of the bottom frame the supporting-frame may be folded up to be carried about to any place and stored, without taking up unnecessary space.

In the drawing, A is the supporting-frame, consisting of two pairs of diagonally-pivoted pieces, a and b, of wood or other material, connected by lateral cross-pieces d and d in the shape of a saw-block or folding-chair. Strong leather or other bands 6 are stretched longitudinally to connect crosspieces 01 passing over them, and slipped by means of suitable holes or slots over buttons f applied below cross -pieces at to diagonal pieces a and b. By shortening bands f frame A may be adjusted to any desired height. Buttons 9 are applied to the upper parts of the cross-pieces d for the reception of vertically-suspended bands h, of similar material as bands 6, and also supplied with holes for shortening and elongating the same so as to be adjustable. Bands h are rigidly attached to the lower sides of bottom frame B, consisting of lateral pieces 2', connected longitudinally, and braced by curved truss pieces K of suitable size to swing freely between the diagonal pieces a and b. The cross-pieces '5 of frame B have rigidly stretched over them a cover, 0, of canvas or other suitable material, which forms the bottom part of the cradle. It is supported. centrally between cross-pieces i to the highest points of the curved beam pieces K by bands Z or other suitable means, so that a strong support to cover 0 is provided thereby.

The advantages of the cradle are easily perceptible. It allows a free circulation of air around the child; is cool, as it requires fewer clothes under the child, being elastic, rocks freely andwithout noise, which is especially advantageous in case of sickness; is construct- 

